There are a number of reasons, but the main one is that Vilanova has not had all of his defenders available on a regular basis. The manager has been forced to improvise with his line-ups and tactics due to these absences.

For one reason or another, one or more players have always been missing. However, the situation is set to change as his players are ready to return, and he may have them all available next week if no more setbacks occur.

Piqué was the latest player to rejoin the team. After the strain which was expected to keep him out for three weeks, the situation was exacerbated by a second injury which caused the international centre back to miss out on seven weeks of competition. He played the full 90 minutes again for the first time on Sunday.

Next to return will be Carles Puyol, whose left elbow is better after he dislocated it in Lisbon against Benfica. He was given the medical all-clear last week and will be fit to return on Saturday against Zaragoza. And Adriano may be back in time to travel to Moscow to take on Spartak.